Democrats pick candidate for seat of late Sen. Pinckney

RIDGELAND, S.C. (AP) _ Voters are going to the polls as Democrats select a candidate for the vacancy in the South Carolina Senate created by the shooting death of Sen. Clementa Pinckney at a church in Charleston earlier this year. Eleven Democratic candidates are seeking their party’s nomination in Tuesday’s balloting. If no one gets a majority, a runoff will be held Sept. 15. The winner faces Republican Alberto Fernandez in the special election set for Oct. 20. The district includes parts of Allendale, Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties. Pinckney was one of nine people killed in the shooting at a historic black church in Charleston June 17. The lawmaker was also pastor of the Mother Emmanuel Church. A white man, Dylann Roof, is facing state and federal charges in the shootings.